China has become New Zealand's second biggest export market, overtaking the United States.
New Zealand's exports to China were worth $3.8 billion in the year to February, a rise of 36% on the previous year.
Exports to the US fell by 22.4% in the same period.
The surge in trade with China is being attributed to economic growth and the introduction of a free trade agreement in 2008.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce hopes countries like the United States and Japan will now see the value of free trade agreements with New Zealand.
